Drunk Driving Facts and Statistics

Drunk driving is one of the most pervasive crimes in the United States. The economic and social toll that it takes is nearly immeasurable and affects nearly every citizen, regardless of their personal involvement. In fact, college drunk driving statistics suggest that it costs the average person $800 of their annual salary, and most people know someone who has perpetrated or been the victim of an alcohol-related accident.

The drunk driving facts and statistics complied by various organizations, institutions, and governmental agencies make it all the more shocking. Although this crime is truly preventable, it remains the most common one that law enforcement agencies see perpetrated year after year. Despite the seeming insistence of drunk drivers on continuing their behaviors and habits, education initiatives have been proven to reduce the incidence of impaired driving across states and demographics.

The responses to these initiatives give activists, law enforcement, and citizens hope that information about drunk driving and knowledge about the damage it does and can do will continue to persuade would-be perpetrators against choosing behaviors that have unwelcome consequences on the road.

College Drunk Driving Statistics

College-aged students may especially benefit from alcohol-related educational resources, as they are some of the greatest perpetrators of this crime and may also be the most open to activism efforts. When considering that college drunk driving statistics suggest that consuming alcohol increases the probability that youth and young adults will experience injury, assaults, and sexual abuse, education efforts in these matters can act as a veritable health insurance policy. Communities can support this susceptible population by starting initiatives that discourage underage drinking and encourage the building of individual health goals. For example, neighborhoods might host sports or healthy-eating events that highlight the benefits of personal control and responsibility.

Combining efforts with organizations devoted to spreading information about drunk driving may lend even more authority to any community’s efforts, even those located in college towns with high populations of students and binge-drinking incidents. Finally, college administrators may consider working with local shops and other establishments to reduce the instances of alcoholic beverages sold to minors. Awareness of young people’s determination to illegally obtain and abuse alcohol can significantly decrease the amount of alcohol-related accidents experienced on campuses and surrounding roads. Colleges should always offer health and safe alternatives to drinking as fun options. The presence of these activities on any college campus supports the safety of the community, protects property, reduces accidents and violent assaults, and can even save lives.

Basic College Drunk Driving Statistics

• Drunk driving is the most common crime in the nation. (West Virginia University)
• People who drink six-packs increase their chances for being involved in an alcohol-related accident by 44%. (West Virginia University)
• Every 48 minutes, a person dies from a drunk-driving accident in the United States. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• About a third of convictions and arrests related to drunk driving involve offenders who have been arrested or convicted for the offense before. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)
• Two out of three people will experience a car accident that involves alcohol within the course of the lives. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)
• Men were responsible for about 81% of drunk-driving incidents in 2010. (United States Department of Transportation)
• The annual economic burden of drunk driving totals about $130 billion. (National Transportation Safety Board)
• Drunk drivers usually drive 80 times before they are caught and arrested for the offense for the first time. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)

Drunk Driving and the Youth Population

• Drunk driving is the #1 cause of death for teenagers. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)
• About 50% of 10th-graders admit to drinking alcoholic beverages. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)
• Young drivers are the most resistant to changing their drinking and driving behaviors. (Loyola University Health System)
• College students are at a very high risk to be involved in drunk-driving episodes. (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
• Students in college often experience violent incidents related to alcohol, including assaults, sexual abuse, and injury. (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
• Inexperienced and young drivers are more likely to combine illegal drugs with alcohol when driving. (SUNY Potsdam)
• Drunk driving is most common among people between the ages of 21 and 25. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)
• One in five college students has admitted to drunk driving. (U.S. News & World Report)
• Education initiatives positively correlate with a decrease in drunk-driving incidents. (Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility)

Treatment for Alcohol Abuse

Despite being legal, alcohol is one of the most dangerous substances in the United States. To learn more about alcohol addiction treatment and alcoholism rehab, call Morningside Recovery today at 855-631-2135.